Back to the UK after 50 years

OZDUCK · 2026-10-08T15:59:50+1100

Finishing off Chester. If you are nearby it is well worth spending a few hours here.

Outside the Town Hall - a bronze statue gifted to the city by the Chester Zoo

Grosvenor Bride - "This elegant stone bridge across the River Dee, seen from the city wall as you pass Chester Castle, is actually a Grade I listed building. It was the longest single-span arched bridge in the world when it was opened by (the then) Princess Victoria in 1832"

Another "Bridge of Sighs"

The train trip to and from Chester was not the most scenic one I have ever taken. The line often runs through cuttings or with trees hiding it from view. And when views were available they were often just of flat farmland.

This was one of the more exciting sights

Occasionally you would pass by a small town

Once again we got both English and Welsh language information

OZDUCK · 2026-10-08T19:22:21+1100

Our second day trip was a mini-bus tour to the Lake District. This can be visited by train from Manchester but then you are restricted as to what areas you can see. The company we went with was Rabbie's Tours and the price was £164 including a 45 minute 'cruise' on Lake Windermere. Due to traffic delays on the return trip it turned out to be close to an 11 hour trip.

We had visited the Lake District in 1976 and it was so cold and wet we spent very little time there. Unfortunately this pattern repeated itself as we experienced the coldest and wettest day of our trip.

A stock photo of one of their vans. All the tour companies seem to use the same 18 seat Mercedes vans and their prices are basically identical.

The inside of the van. It was pretty comfortable but a little short on legroom. I sat in the middle rear seat so I could stick my legs out but this also meant I was right over the rear axle so it was a bit bumpy.